The Dearly Dive

Located on the island of Koh Tao, The Dearly Dive operates as a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort integrated with The Dearly Koh Tao Hostel. This setup allows for a seamless 'Stay, Dive & Explore' experience, combining professional diving instruction with social hostel living. The centre is positioned near Chalok Baan Kao Beach, accessible via a short taxi ride or scooter from Mae Haad Pier.

The resort is a self-sustaining property that produces its own water and electricity, reflecting an eco-conscious approach to diving in Thailand. Whether you are looking for a social atmosphere in the rooftop lounge or a dedicated space to work between dives, the facility is designed to cater to both backpackers and more settled divers.

The diving programme is delivered by a team of certified PADI instructors, including a women-led team that fosters an inclusive environment for all divers, including the LGBTQ+ community. Safety and individual attention are prioritised through a strict instructor-to-diver ratio, ensuring no more than four divers are assigned to a single guide.

The centre offers a comprehensive range of training, from entry-level courses to professional development. This includes the full PADI progression from Open Water Diver to Divemaster, alongside specialised training such as Search & Recovery and Underwater Navigation.

The training catalogue covers the entire PADI spectrum. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or the Open Water Diver course, while those looking to advance can enrol in the Advanced Open Water Diver, Deep Diver, or Wreck Diver specialties.

More technical and professional training is also available, including the Rescue Diver and Divemaster programmes. For divers looking to refine specific skills, the centre offers Peak Performance Buoyancy, Underwater Navigation, Night Dive, and Fish Identification courses, as well as Search & Recovery training.

The centre operates a brand-new, custom-made dive boat commissioned in 2024. Designed specifically for comfort and safety, the vessel features two spacious decks and dedicated gear stations for easy handling of cylinders and kit.

On board, you will find a snack bar, freshwater showers, and clean bathroom facilities. The boat is equipped with shaded rest areas and a sun lounge, making it suitable for both morning and afternoon dive trips. Nitrox is available for use on the boat, and the vessel is used for various dive types, including night dives.

For those not travelling with their own kit, the centre provides a full range of equipment for hire. Shore-based facilities include an air-conditioned classroom for theory sessions and an on-site swimming pool, which is particularly useful for buoyancy training or completing course skills.

The resort provides practical amenities such as gear storage, a restaurant, a cafe, and freshwater showers to rinse your kit after a day on the water.

The reefs around Koh Tao are home to a vast array of marine life. You will regularly encounter schools of fish, including bigeye trevallies, snapper schools, and various species of fusilier. Larger pelagics such as great barracudas, trevally, and blacktip reef sharks are often seen patrolling the deeper sections near the pinnacles.

The hard and soft coral gardens are highly diverse, featuring staghorn corals, sea fans (Gorgoniidae), and various sponges (Porifera). You may also spot sea anemones (Actiniaria) inhabited by clownfish (Amphiprion) and other anemone fish.

For those interested in macro life, the area offers plenty of subjects. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), various crustaceans, and octopus (Octopus vulgaris). You might also find more delicate creatures like seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), shrimp (Caridea), and various species of scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae).

During certain periods, you may have the chance to see a whale shark (Rhincodon typus). Other notable residents include sea turtles (Cheloniidae), blue-spotted rays, and various species of moray eel (Muraenidae).

Diving in this area is characterised by calm waters and mild currents. The visibility is generally good, typically ranging between 15 and 30 metres.

The region is accessible for diving year-round, with the local marine life and reef conditions remaining stable throughout the seasons.